Electromagnetic contact apparatus



May 28, 1929. w. SCHAFFNER ELECTROKAGkETIC CONTACT APPARATUS Filed March 5, 1926 Patented May 28, 1929.

UNITED STATES 1,714,571 PATENT OFFICE.

WALTER SGHAFFNER, OF BADEN, SWITZERLAND, ,ASSIGNOR TO AKTIENGESELL- SCHAFT BROWN BOVERI & CIE, OF BADEN, SWITZERLAND, A JOINT-STOCK COM- PANY OF SWITZERLAND.

ELECTROMAGNETIC CONTACT APPARATUS.

Application filed March 3, 1926, Serial No. 91,858, and in Germany March 5, 1925.

This invention relates to electromagnetic apparatus for operating switches, relays, and other contact-making devices. Its general purpose is the provision of apparatus which will obtain a quick, complete, and powerful operation of the contact closing members, avoid chattering and uncertain or partial operation.

Other objects will be pointed out or indicated hereinafter, or obvious to one skilled in the artupon an understanding of the invention.

In the drawing forming a part of this specification I illustrate one embodiment'in diagrammatic fashion, but it is intended that the invention shall take various structural forms within the scope of the appended claims.

In the drawing,

Fig. 1 is an elevational view and Fig. 2 a sectional view, of an illustrative arrangement embodying the present improvements.

In the drawing, the part designated a is the core member of an electromagnet hav ing the coil 6 and constituting the actuating means for the contact to be operated. The armature 0 of the electromagnet is carried on the'fiexibly mounted arm (Z so-tli at it may swing toward the magnet against the spring tendency of said arm. The arm and armature are qualified to operate the movable contact member 6 to close it upon the contact member 6, when the armature is forcibly moved toward the magnet a. The construction of the magnet is such that the contemplated energization of coil 6 normally will not cause the armature 0 to be drawn to the magnet, as the armature is located outside the normal eifective magnetic field of the latter. This is due to the fact that one of the poles of the magnet is terminated considerably short of the other. Control means is provided'for displacing the magnetic field of the magnet however, such means comprising the movable auxiliary core member h, and being of'magnetizable material, and carried on the arm 9 sup orted on the pivoted shaft f. The latter 1S provided with mechanically or electrically-operated means whereby it may be rotated to swing the auxiliary core member h to a position over the short arm of the magnet core a, in which position it substantially closes the air gap shown, causing armature c to form part of the flux path and the supporting arm (Z to accordingly flexdownwardly under the resultmg electromagnetic force and close the contact 6 upon the contact 6. A spacing piece 2' of non-magnetic material, such as brass, is provided to prevent the arm (Z being held in contact with the magnet pole after the auxiliary pole member it has been moved away from its effective position.

WVhat I claim is 1. In an velectromagnet, an armature mem ber, a core member, said members being disposed in spaced relationship'with respect to each other to provide an air gap between the same, an exciting winding associated with one of said members and cooper-able there with to effect the flow of flux across such gap, and means operable independently of said winding to provide for variation of the density of such flux and comprising an element cooperable with said members and means operable to provide for positioning of said element within or beyond said gap.

2. In an electromagnet, an armature member, a core member comprising a plurality of cooperable parts disposed for relative movement with respect to each other into and out of cooperating relationship, an exciting winding associated with one of said members, said core members being effective with respect to said armature member when said core parts bear such relationship to each other and being non-effective with respect to said armature member when said core parts are out of such relationship, and means operable to provide for relative movement of said core parts into or out of cooperating relationship.

3. In an electromagnet, an armature member, a core member, an exciting winding associated with one of said members, said members cooperating to provide an open flux path and being normally non-effective with respect to each other by reason of the opening in such path, an element operable to substantially bridge said opening, and means operable to provide for movement of said element into or out of bridging position with respect to said opening.

4:. In an electromagnet, an armature member, a core member, an exciting winding associated with one of said members, said members cooperating to provide an open flux path and being normally non-effective with respect to each other by reason of the opening in such path, and an element operable ber, a core member, an exciting winding associated with one of said members, said members cooperating to .provlde an open flux path and being normally non-effective with respect to each other by reason of the opening in such path, and an element operable to substantially bridge said opening i and supported independently of said mem- 6. In an electromagnet, an armature mem- 4 her, a U-shape core member cooperable with said armature member and having legs of unequallength, an exciting winding associated with one of said members, and an element supported for movement laterally with respect to said core member into or out of position between the shorter leg thereof and said armature member;

In testimony whereof I have hereunto subscribed my name at Zurich,'Switzerland, on the 15th day of February, A. D. 1926.

' WALTER SCHAFFNER. 

